Goal
We support efforts to mitigate climate change by reducing emissions from deforestation and by capturing and storing carbon in Brazil’s Amazon and Cerrado biomes, while promoting biodiversity conservation, the sustainable use of natural resources, and equity and rights for indigenous peoples and traditional communities.
Why Brazil?
The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest as well as the world’s largest river basin, supplying 20% of the planet’s surface freshwater. The region houses a wealth of biodiversity and is home to thousands of indigenous and traditional peoples. Globally, the Amazon is critically important to the Earth’s climate—both for the role it plays in removing carbon from the atmosphere, and in regulating rainfall patterns.
Until recently, Brazil made significant progress in reducing forest loss while increasing production of agricultural commodities. But deforestation is once again on the rise in the Amazon. Brazil’s agricultural frontier is advancing fastest in the Cerrado where, between 2008 and 2012, the rate of conversion was more than double that of the Amazon.
Despite the threats, the opportunities for climate change mitigation and social and economic progress by protecting and restoring Brazil’s natural areas are very real.
Strategic Priorities
The Brazil Initiative supports efforts in the following areas:
Policy & Governance Reforms
Promoting land rights and community forest management experiences from Mexico and Central America to inform policies, programs, and practitioners around the world to more effectively pursue climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and secure community forest rights and livelihoods.
Where we Focus
- Clear Land Ownership
- Preventing Additional Deforestation
- Public Support
Community Land Rights & Management
Encouraging increased formal recognition of indigenous and traditional community lands and resource rights, and sustainably operating community management systems in the Amazon and Cerrado.
Where we Focus
- Supportive Land Policies & Community Mapping
- Protection of Environmental & Human Rights Defenders
- Increased Investments in Community Land Rights and Management
Conflict- & Deforestation-Free Beef & Soy
Ensuring beef and soy in the Amazon and Cerrado are legally sourced and verified as deforestation- and conflict-free.
Where we Focus
- Verifiable Corporate Commitments
- Increased Resources
Addressing Impacts of Infrastructure
Avoiding negative environmental and social impacts, decreasing the risk of corruption, and guaranteeing indigenous and traditional peoples’ rights in policies, investments, and infrastructure and extractives projects.
Where we Focus
- Avoiding Negative Social & Environmental Impact
- Investment in Local, Sustainable Development
- Participation & Advocacy